In my own words
— SamanthaEveryone has a story.
Here’s mine: I have a passion for creativity and brand strategy, and more than 15 years of experience writing, editing and shaping content.
I’ve worked with retail brands, solopreneurs, book publishers, financial service providers, commercial real estate companies, and membership organizations.
I specialize in helping medium-sized businesses articulate and execute their marketing strategies and campaigns, with a particular talent for story-telling and creative approaches to problem solving.
I also write and edit books for kids. And when I'm not writing, I teach yoga and meditation: corporate lunchtime, private and studio classes.
More than anything, I love telling a good story, whether that's on the page or on the mat.
Trajectory
Oct 2023 — Now
Senior Account Manager · The Smart Agency, Inc.
Creating dynamic communications and PR for leaders in commercial real estate
Apr 2018 — Now
Yoga & Meditation Instructor · Self Employed
Breath-centered, alignment-based yoga instruction for corporate, studio and private clients.
Jan 2015 — Now
Writer/Editor & Strategic Marketing Consultant · Purple Ink Creative
• Copywriting and editorial expertise
• Strategic and marketing guidance
• Content creation and curation
• Project management and execution
Clients across a variety of industries, including:
--Financial Services: Orange County's Credit Union, University Credit Union, Unify Financial Credit Union, O'Rourke & Associates
--Commercial Real Estate: Irvine Company (Office Properties)
--Agencies: Presidio Communications, Traver Hispanic Marketing Group
--Retail: Volcom, Willow Creek Press, H2Go Express
--Restaurant/Food: The Pie Bar, Burnin' Beak
--Publishing: Duopress/Workman, Harper Collins, Silver Dolphin Books, Westways Magazine, Capstone Press, Teacher Created Materials, Teacher Created Resources
Jul 2018 — Mar 2020
Contributing Writer · I Heart Costa Mesa
Profiling small businesses throughout my community and capturing their unique success stories for a digital magazine; representing the brand at live events; guest hosting the podcast.
Dec 2016 — Aug 2018
Acquisitions Editor · Walter Foster Publishing
• Procure new authors and titles to create a well-rounded list each publishing season
• Work closely with editorial director and authors to develop excellent content for each title
• Develop new concepts, formats and titles based on current and upcoming trends
Mar 2014 — Jun 2015
Internal & Corporate Communications Manager · SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
• Managed all internal communications, including intranet, mass email team communications, and crisis communications through major organizational changes, including mergers, CEO retirement and digital banking relaunch
• Communicated through all channels, including email, direct mail, social media, web content
• Developed quarterly and annual strategic business plans; determined project budgets and analyzed results
• Planned and coordinated special events for 25-4,000 attendees
• Created and managed first internal company newsletter
• Presented organizational changes and project updates at management meetings
• Ensured that the brand was well represented in all channels and communications
Jul 2010 — Mar 2014
Marketing Communications Manager · SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
• Developed and managed more than 300 annual promotional campaigns from concept to implementation, including direct mail, email, web, social media, brochures and flyers, merchandising and collateral, newsletter articles and promotional giveaways
• Worked closely with freelancers, agencies, and vendors to ensure excellent work and timely delivery
• Managed an exceptional team of 7 project leads and graphic designers who ensured our messaging looked great, was within budget, and arrived on time
• Successes include 36% YOY increase in acquisition rate, recognition with a Management Award, and consistent improvement of campaign results
Nov 2006 — Jul 2010
PR/Communications Specialist · SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
• Managed external and internal communications for organization’s brand and name change in 2008
• Communications lead (internal and external) for mergers and acquisitions and other organizational projects
• Wrote promotional copy for Web, brochures, flyers, company bios and other collateral
• Ghostwriting of letters, memos and scripts for organization executives
• Coordinated and directed photo shoots
• Planned and coordinated special events, including golf tournaments, employee conferences and awards dinners
Jan 2005 — Dec 2006
Project Manager, Direct Market Sales · Walter Foster Publishing
• Directed more than 40 books and kits from concept through publication
• Wrote sales and marketing copy for press releases, catalogs and presentations
• Pitched new title concepts to sales team and clients
• Built and developed relationships with vendors and contractors
• Proofed and trafficked manuscripts and graphic files
• Determined production schedules for custom products
• Specialized in custom publishing, re-packaging
• Determined project budgets and profit margins
• Researched and identified areas for growth
• Sourced formats and components from vendors
• Negotiated new contracts
• Developed new project concepts and formats
• Worked with licensors including Disney, Hasbro, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros.
Jan 2004 — Dec 2005
Travel Researcher · AAA
• Copyedited book and magazine copy
• Researched various travel destinations and attractions
• Fact-checked tour books and map copy
Jan 2001 — Dec 2005
Editor/Writer · Walter Foster Publishing
• Wrote, edited instructional art copy
• Managed authors/artists through the publication process, including contract negotiation, project timelines and budgets, content guidance
• Collaborated with graphic design and production teams to create innovative, creative new books and kits for adult and children
Jan 2000 — Dec 2001
Associate Editor · Avalanche Publishing
• Conceptualized new formats and titles for launch of new gift line
• Worked closely with production and design on more than 30 line items
• Initiated improved, more efficient production schedule
Jan 1998 — Dec 2000
Shareholder Services Representative · Capital Group
• Resolved complex service issues daily in a deadline-based environment
• Serviced multi-million-dollar retirement plans
• Startup member of a task force team formed to streamline the handling
of new money
Jan 1995 — Dec 1998
Customer Service/Shipping Supervisor · Holly Yashi Jewelry
• Responded to customer and retailer requests and issues
• Collaborated with Marketing and Sales teams for large volume sales orders
• Ensured prompt order entry, fulfillment and shipping
Activity
Education history
Cal Poly Humboldt
B.A. | 1995 - 1998
UC Irvine
certificate | 2007 - 2011
College of the Redwoods
Associate of Arts (A.A.) | 1995 - 1995
University of California, Santa Cruz
Anthropology | 1991 - 1992
